Connecting Europe Facility — Transport & Energy

Connecting Europe Facility — Transport & Energy

Offers research teams and institutions for Connecting Europe Facility Transport & Energy in transport and mobility, energy systems, and climate technology.

Eligibility · EU member states

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is CINEA's principal infrastructure funding programme under the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, covering two distinct pillars: CEF Transport (€25.8 billion total budget, including €11.2 billion from the Cohesion Fund) and CEF Energy (€5.84 billion). CEF Transport supports the development and modernisation of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), funding cross-border rail, road, inland waterway, and port infrastructure, removal of network bottlenecks, traffic management systems such as ERTMS and SESAR, and deployment of high-power electric vehicle recharging and hydrogen refuelling stations, as well as military-civilian dual-use infrastructure. CEF Energy finances Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) that interconnect national energy grids and advance the Energy Union, alongside cross-border renewable energy projects; a 2025 CEF Energy call awarded over €650 million to 14 cross-border infrastructure projects. Eligible applicants are primarily Member States, infrastructure managers, public authorities, and large infrastructure operators; blended finance combining CEF grants with European Investment Bank instruments is available. Individual call budgets, deadlines, and eligibility criteria vary and are published on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal on an annual cycle; 2026 calls were underway at the time of research.